What comes to mind when you hear the number, “two?” Well, that probably depends on the season of life you’re in, and whatever hurdles you’re currently facing.
Newlyweds might think, “Boom baby! We made it through our first two years of marriage. Look at us! We’re practically an old married couple. Anyone need some marriage advice from a couple of pros?!”
First-time parents might be thinking, “My baby’s growing up so fast! Two years has flown by. Slow down!”
Moms of toddlers might have a certain expression in mind. “Terr…Terrific Twos!” Admit it. You thought I was going to say, “Terrible.” And sometimes, yes, that might be the word that comes to mind with a toddler experiencing new freedoms and learning his boundaries in life!
Often, “two” seems relatively quick and short. Through the lens of wisdom and maturity, two years can feel like the blink of an eye.
In my own motherhood, however, “two” has had a much more severe association. At one point, “two” felt like a lifetime.
My second son was two years old when he was diagnosed with leukemia.
CANCER
“His heart is at risk of failure, and he needs to be admitted to the hospital immediately.”
SHOCK
“His platelets are close to zero, so his blood won’t clot. This means that if he gets even a small cut he could bleed out.”
DISBELIEF
“He will need to receive several blood transfusions and begin chemotherapy over the next two weeks as we keep a close eye on him.”
FEAR
The week prior to my son’s diagnosis we found out that I was two months pregnant with our fourth son. I remember when the realization hit – my dreams of a thriving family of six with four healthy children were crushed.
My baby was fighting for his life.
It was in that moment when my faith pushed me forward. Despite the uncertainties and the unknown of what lay ahead for our family, I would choose to fight the fear and do what needed to get done.
1-2 Buckle My Shoe
3-4 Slam the Door in My Face
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Every year at this time it does my heart good to look back and remember what my son went through, battling this ugly disease. Yes, I’m reminded of the grief and painful memories of the three and a half years of treatment he experienced after his diagnosis, but I’m also filled with gratitude at the thought of what my son has overcome!
My son is a SURVIVOR!
During those devastating years of my son’s suffering – strategically poisoning his little body to kill the cancer, resigning to the threat of potential long-term side effects, and complications as the lesser of two evils – my entire family did the hard work to keep pushing forward, one step at a time.
Our incredible community held us up with meals and impromptu house-cleanings, prayers, and words of encouragement. We never would have experienced firsthand the incredible organizations that continue to support families living out this nightmare in their daily fight to survive: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Make-a-Wish Foundation, and one of our favorites, the Jessie Rees Foundation – NEGU.
NEGU stands for “Never Ever Give Up.”
And that’s exactly what it takes to fight the hard fight, and push through to get to tomorrow.
So, any moms needing some encouragement today, even if your seemingly impossible struggle isn’t cancer, keep this motto close to your heart.
Never Ever Give Up.
There will come a day when you can look back at all the “impossible” and realize that you actually did it. Even if it wasn’t what you wanted, and didn’t result in all your dreams coming true, you made it to today. The impossible was, in fact…
Possible.
If you’re looking for even more ways to donate in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, please check out OC-based childhood brain cancer charity The McKenna Claire Foundation. Or if you have a loved one experiencing cancer, please read this post on ways you can support them.
